Liberty Flames Defeat Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 76-69
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · E.A. Diddle Arena
Liberty Flames 76, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 69, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Liberty Flames vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Liberty Flames beat Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 76-69 at E.A. Diddle Arena on January 21, 2026.
Who was favored in Liberty Flames vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Liberty Flames were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -118 (about 54% implied). The favorite won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Liberty Flames emerged victorious against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, winning 76-69 at E.A. Diddle Arena. This game showcased the Flames' impressive form, extending their winning streak to nine games, while the Hilltoppers faced their second consecutive loss. Liberty's strong performance on the road further solidified their status as a formidable opponent in the NCAAB landscape.
The Flames entered the game with a record of 16-3, having won nine of their last ten games, averaging 76.7 points scored and allowing 70.9 points during that stretch. Their recent victories included a 80-69 win against the UTEP Miners and a narrow 73-71 triumph over the New Mexico State Aggies. In contrast, the Hilltoppers held an 11-8 record, with a mixed performance of 5-5 over their last ten games. They averaged 76.3 points scored while allowing 73.7 points, indicating a tendency for high-scoring affairs. Their last game resulted in a loss to the Kennesaw State Owls, where they fell 65-81.
At home, Western Kentucky had a record of 4-2, while Liberty boasted an impressive away record of 4-1. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it featured two teams with contrasting recent trends; Liberty was riding a wave of momentum, while the Hilltoppers struggled to find consistency. The previous meetings between these two teams had produced a split record, with each team winning once. In their last encounter on March 8, 2025, Liberty defeated Western Kentucky decisively with a score of 90-61.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players missing from either team, which meant both squads were likely at full strength for this crucial matchup. The betting market reflected Liberty's recent success, with DraftKings listing them as 1.5-point favorites, indicating a strong belief in their ability to continue their winning streak. The total for the game was set at 148.5, suggesting expectations for a competitive and high-scoring contest.
The conditions at E.A. Diddle Arena were conducive to an exciting game, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths. Viewers were treated to a thrilling second half, where key free throws by Josh Smith and Kaden Metheny helped Liberty maintain their lead. Smith's contributions from the free-throw line were particularly crucial as he consistently extended the Flames' advantage in the closing moments of the game.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Flames celebrated their hard-fought victory, while the Hilltoppers were left to regroup and reassess their strategy moving forward. This game not only highlighted the Flames' resilience but also raised questions about the Hilltoppers' ability to bounce back from consecutive defeats.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LIB -1.5 | 148.5 o -110 / u -110 | Liberty Flames -118 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -102 |
Leaders
- PointsTeagan Moore19Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- AssistsTerrion Murdix4Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- ReboundsArmelo Boone13Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- PointsKaden Metheny19Liberty Flames
- AssistsKaden Metheny6Liberty Flames
- ReboundsKaden Metheny5Liberty Flames
Recent form
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Last 10: 5-5Streak L176.3 scored · 73.7 allowed per game4-2 at home
- L65-81vs Kennesaw State OwlsJan 17
- W87-72vs Missouri State BearsJan 15
- W68-56at UTEP MinersJan 10
- L64-80at New Mexico State AggiesJan 9
- W66-61vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 4
- W102-91vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 2
- L67-78at Jacksonville State GamecocksDec 30
- L81-82vs Tulsa Golden HurricaneDec 20
- W102-59vs Campbellsville TigersDec 16
- L61-77at Marshall Thundering HerdDec 11
Liberty Flames
Last 10: 9-1Streak W976.7 scored · 70.9 allowed per game4-1 away
- W80-69vs UTEP MinersJan 17
- W73-71vs New Mexico State AggiesJan 15
- W82-74at Sam Houston BearkatsJan 10
- W72-56at Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 9
- W78-69vs Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 4
- W81-73vs Kennesaw State OwlsJan 3
- W97-94at Florida International PanthersDec 28
- W64-61at Dayton FlyersDec 20
- W95-57vs Midway EaglesDec 16
- L45-85at NC State WolfpackDec 11
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Liberty Flames | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 21-45 | 24-57 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 17-29 | 10-24 |
| Three-point % | 59 | 42 |
| Free throws | 17-24 | 11-17 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 65 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 4 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 22 |
| Assists | 15 | 13 |
| Steals | 10 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 1 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 17 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 3 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 8 | 26 |
| Fouls | 15 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 13 | 4 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 81 | 10 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half36-37Grant Newell makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half39-37Brett Decker Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half41-37JJ Harper makes 7-foot dunk (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half42-37JJ Harper makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half42-39Armelo Boone makes layup
- 2nd Half45-39Brett Decker Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half46-39Zach Cleveland makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-39Colin Porter makes 26-foot three point jumper (Brett Decker Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half52-39Colin Porter makes 26-foot three point jumper (Zander Carter assists)
- 2nd Half52-40Teagan Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-41Teagan Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-41Colin Porter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-41Colin Porter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-44Teagan Moore makes 23-foot three point jumper (Armelo Boone assists)
- 2nd Half54-46Armelo Boone makes 4-foot dunk (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half55-46Josh Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-46Josh Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-47LJ Hackman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-50Teagan Moore makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ryan Myers assists)
- 2nd Half59-50Kaden Metheny makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half59-53Ryan Myers makes 24-foot three point jumper (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half62-53JJ Harper makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half62-56Ryan Myers makes 25-foot three point jumper (Grant Newell assists)
- 2nd Half65-56Kaden Metheny makes 26-foot three point jumper (Colin Porter assists)
- 2nd Half65-58Grant Newell makes 5-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half65-59Grant Newell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-60Grant Newell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-60JJ Harper makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kaden Metheny assists)
- 2nd Half68-62Grant Newell makes layup (Teagan Moore assists)
- 2nd Half70-62Kaden Metheny makes driving layup
- 2nd Half70-65Grant Newell makes 28-foot three point jumper (Ryan Myers assists)
- 2nd Half70-66Ryan Myers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-67Ryan Myers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-67Josh Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-69Teagan Moore makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half72-69Josh Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-69Josh Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-69Josh Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-69Kaden Metheny makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-69Kaden Metheny makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, below favours Liberty Flames.
Venue
- E.A. Diddle ArenaBowling Green, KY
- Attendance3512
- OfficialsPatrick Evans, Pat Adams, Rob Rorke
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond